Relationship between Household Air Pollution of Particulate Matter and Acute Respiratory Infections Among Young Children in Central Kenya (original) (raw)

Background Household Air Pollution is perceived to increase the risk of developing acute respiratory infection (ARI) specifically among young children. A cohort study involving 430 children (228 exposed to Household Air Pollution and 202 non-exposed to indoor air pollution) was conducted to explore the association of Household Air Pollution upon respiratory infections of children aged less than five years, in Nyeri, central Kenya. Methods Quantitative data were collected monthly for twelve months from participants using a questionnaire. Meteorological data on temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall were also collected at the same interval and period. A randomized sample of 60 households was selected in which 24hour monitoring for particulate matter of less than 10 microns in diameter was carried out. Results The overall, mean particulate matter of less than 10 microns in diameter was 68.6 + 90 .1 µg/m 3 in the exposed households, the mean PM10 level was 100.8 + 95.3 µg/m 3 compared to mean of particulate matter of less than 10 microns in diameter level in the non-exposed household of 4.1 + 4.0 µg/m 3 (students t-test 4.88, p<0.01). The particulate matter of less than 10 microns in diameter from exposed households was 2 times (100.8g/m) higher than the 50g/m tolerable standards set by British Health Panel and adopted by European Commission, whereas those from non-exposed households were 12.2 times lower (4.1 µg/m 3). Children exposed to particulate matter of > 50 µg/m 3 were (10) at times at risk of developing more than five (5) episodes of acute respiratory infections within a year (RR= 10, 98% CI 3.3 to 30). There was also a positive linear correlation between a particulate matter of less than 10 microns in diameter and the development of acute respiratory infection (R = 0.358, p<0.01). The rates ratio for acute respiratory infections (ARI) was 1.57(95% CI, 1.19-2.07) and an attributable fraction of 68.6%. The risk of getting ARI during the cold season was 3.6 (RR=3.6, 95% CI 3.1-4.2) compare to the hot season. Exposure to HAP, stunting condition of the children were variables identified by the multivariate model as independently associated with ARI. Conclusion In conclusion, this study found that the incidence rate for acute respiratory infections was high in the study population and there was a statistically significant association between Household Air Pollution and acute respiratory infections (RR=1.57, 95% CI,1.19-2.07). the mean PM10 levels were higher than the standard set by the British Health Panel and European Commission. Besides exposure to indoor air pollution, stunting and time spent in the cooking place were risk factors for acute respiratory infections. Recommendations It is recommended that the government develop an air pollution policy aimed at reducing Household Air Pollution and also promote the adoption of superior fuel for cooking to reduce indoor air pollution. there is a need to conduct further studies on HAP monitoring and conduct comparative cost-effective studies between curative and preventive interventions for acute respiratory infections. Future similar studies should incorporate spirometry assessments. Finally, interventions on acute respiratory infections should not only involve reducing Household Air Pollution which are potential risk factors for acute respiratory infections.